A massive fire swept through Wingfield Tent City in Cape Town on Thursday afternoon, destroying homes and leaving hundreds of residents displaced and unsure of what comes next.
One of the residents, Fatuma Mussa Rukundo, described the scene with heartbreak.
“Everything is destroyed. Our houses, businesses, food, clothes — everything is gone,” she said. “We thank God we are alive, but now we have nothing.”
Families have set up temporary spots along the roadside as they try to figure out their next steps.
Parents are also worried about their children, especially with school exams underway.
“What about the kids?” Rukundo asked. “They need to write exams, but we don’t even know if they can go to school.”
Residents had recently been served with eviction notices, and Rukundo said the fire highlighted how unsafe and vulnerable the community already was. “We are people. This is not just another fire. The area has dangers, and the government knows this.”
Emergency teams were deployed to the scene shortly after the fire broke out. Officials began assessing the damage and arranging immediate relief for affected families. Structures around the edges of the settlement remain intact, and displaced residents have the option of returning to those, staying with relatives, or moving to nearby shelters. Teams are still coordinating available space at shelters and safe facilities.
Once firefighters finish their work, the burnt area will be cleared to make the site safe again.
Humanitarian groups also stepped in shortly after the fire. One organisation reported being flooded with calls for help from community members and activists. They said the entire area was destroyed, leaving hundreds with nowhere to go and nothing to salvage.
Hot meals and water were being prepared in the evening, with plans to continue supporting residents in the coming days.
By late Thursday evening, emergency crews were still working to extinguish remaining hotspots and make sure nearby communities were safe.